Israeli army to charge Gaza war soldiers

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JERUSALEM (JTA) — Israel’s chief army prosecutor will bring charges against some Israeli soldiers for their conduct during the Gaza war.

In one case, an army staff sergeant will be indicted on manslaughter charges for shooting and killing two women near Gaza City.

The action comes after the Israel Defense Forces military advocate general, Maj.-Gen. Avichai Mendelblit, reviewed the findings from investigations carried out on incidents that occurred during Operation Cast Lead, which lasted for one month in late 2008 and early 2009, according to an IDF statement. 

Criminal charges will be filed as well against other officers and soldiers.

In one case, an officer was summoned to a disciplinary hearing for having deviated from military directives that prohibit using civilians as human shields. In another case, disciplinary action was taken against an army captain for his failed professional judgment in authorizing an attack against a terror operative.

The IDF said that more than 150 incidents have been examined and nearly 50 investigations have been launched by the Military Police regarding incidents during Operation Cast Lead.
 

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